Choosing the right acrylic paintbrush can significantly affect painting quality and your artistic technique. Learn more about different brush types, what they are used for and how you can maintain them to protect their performance and longevity.
Types of Acrylic Paintbrushes
All paintbrushes are made up of the same components:
- Bristles, or hairs
- The ferrule, which connects the bristles to the handle
- The crimp, which secures the ferrule to the handle
- The handle
The types of paintbrushes for acrylic painting come in a range of shapes to suit different techniques and strokes. They can create various textures to accomplish your artistic vision.
Flat
Flat brushes are square-shaped with flexible ends. Their broad design and ability to hold a lot of paint makes them ideal for covering large areas, painting washes and creating an impasto painting. You can also use them along their edge to create fine lines.
Round
Round brushes are versatile. They have large centers that taper to a fine point, allowing you to create lines of various thicknesses depending on how much pressure you apply. You can use a round brush for broad strokes and detail work.
Filbert
A filbert brush is a combination of flat and round brushes. Its rectangular shape allows it to cover large areas, like a flat brush. Like round brushes, filbert brushes also have rounded tips that enable them to create finer details. They can blend colors and form soft, rounded edges. They're especially ideal for painting nature scenes.
Fan
Fan brush bristles are thinly splayed out, creating unique textures and special effects. They are ideal for painting natural elements, blending colors and building up paint. Acrylic paint is heavy, so an acrylic fan brush needs durable bristles to withstand clumping.
Other Brush Shapes
Paintbrushes also come in these shapes:
- Bright: This brush is flat with curved edges, making it ideal for short, controlled strokes.
- Pointed round: Narrower than a round brush, a pointed round brush assists with fine details and delicate areas.
- Detail round: A detail round brush helps with precision.
- Angular flat: As a flat brush with an angled edge, this brush covers lots of space and reaches small areas.
Synthetic vs. Natural Brushes
Synthetic bristles are durable and long-lasting. They can handle acrylic resin and provide a consistent performance while withstanding the moisture associated with cleaning acrylic brushes. Because synthetic bristles are less likely to become damaged over time, they are a cost-effective option.
Natural hair brushes offer a natural spring and paint-holding capacity. Their natural split ends and rough, stiff texture make them ideal for heavy textured strokes. Water can be harsh on natural hair bristles, so they require quick cleaning and extra care to ensure their longevity.
Brush Handles
Brush handles come in two sizes — short and long. Short handles are better when working close to your canvas. Long handles are ideal for easel painting, as they allow you to paint from a distance and see the whole piece at once.
Brush Cleaning and Maintenance
Once you've finished painting, follow these steps to clean your acrylic brushes:
- Gently squeeze out excess paint with a rag or paper towel.
- Stir the brush in your water cup, gently shake off the water, then pat dry on your rag or towel.
- Place a small bucket or bowl in the sink to catch the acrylic paint you will wash off.
- Rinse your brush under a small stream of water, being careful not to overfill the bucket or bowl.
- Use a gentle artist soap or hand soap to dislodge any leftover paint, and rinse well.
- Shake the brush to remove excess water.
- Let the brush dry horizontally.
- Dispose of the water in the bucket or bowl. We recommend not pouring the water down the drain.
You can protect your investment by taking proper care of your brushes. Here are some general maintenance tips to keep in mind:
- Acrylics dry quickly, so clean your brush immediately after use to preserve the bristles.
- If you plan to use more than one brush at a time, keep the brushes moist to prevent the paint from drying.
- Rest your brush on the water cup rim rather than down in the water cup to avoid bending and fraying the bristles.
- Lay brushes horizontally and let the water drip away from the ferrule to prevent damage to the brush.
- Be careful not to get paint on the ferrule, as paint can cause the bristles to spread and fray.
Storing Acrylic Paintbrushes
Proper storage is critical to ensuring your paintbrushes maintain their shape. If the tips are bent or crushed, they can become frayed and deformed. If you have a dedicated workspace, you can lay your brushes on the table horizontally or stand them up vertically in a brush holder.
If you need to transport your brushes, use a long rectangular box, such as a shoebox, a plastic container or a dedicated paintbrush holder. If the container was not designed to hold brushes, take care to protect the bristles.
Benefits of Quality Brushes
Investing in the best paintbrushes for acrylic painting enhances your painting experience and makes it easier and more enjoyable. A quality brush offers:
- Longevity: Paintbrushes made out of quality materials are durable, meaning they can last a long time, even with continual use and cleaning.
- Optimal performance: A quality paintbrush will provide the smooth strokes and sharp edges you expect it to.
- Better bristles: A quality brush holds onto bristles better, and the bristles are less likely to curl or develop split ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about selecting and caring for acrylic paintbrushes.
Does Acrylic Paint Wash Off Brushes?
Yes, acrylic paint does wash off brushes, as long as you follow proper cleaning procedures. Acrylic dries quickly, so you must wash the paint off the brush as soon as possible to prevent it from drying and sticking to the bristles.
How Do You Choose an Acrylic Paintbrush?
Finding the right acrylic paintbrush for your needs will depend on factors like:
- Brush size and shape.
- Bristle type.
- Handle length.
These paintbrush components help you accomplish different techniques and effects. Think about what you want to achieve, and select the brush that accomplishes your vision. Purchasing a pack of paintbrushes gives you an opportunity to try out different brushes to find the right fit for your project.
What Is the Difference Between Acrylic Brushes and Other Brushes?
A brush used for acrylic painting needs to be adequately chemical resistant. Acrylic paint can damage natural hair brushes, leading to streaking and a shorter brush life span. Synthetic brushes hold up better to acrylic paint, so you can create smoother strokes while enjoying brush durability and longevity.
What Are the Best Paintbrushes for Acrylic Painting?
The best paintbrush for acrylic painting depends on your goals. If you want to cover large areas, a flat brush is ideal. If you plan to do a lot of detail work, a rounded brush might be best. If you are doing a combination of bold and fine strokes, a filbert brush may fit your needs best.
Find the Best Acrylic Paintbrushes for Your Next Project at Trekell Art Supplies
